Jury Awards $49.5 Million to Family of Victim in 2019 Boeing 737 Max Crash

A federal jury in Chicago has awarded $49.5 million to the family of Samya Stumo, a 24-year-old nonprofit worker killed in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash. This verdict represents the second civil trial outcome related to the disaster, which claimed 157 lives. The damages include compensation for Stumo's pain and suffering, as well as her family's loss of companionship and grief. Boeing had previously accepted liability, leaving the jury to determine only the compensatory amounts. Most other wrongful death lawsuits stemming from the 737 Max crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia were resolved through confidential pre-trial settlements. The crashes, caused by a faulty flight-control system, led to a global grounding of the aircraft and significant scrutiny of Boeing’s safety culture. While criminal charges against Boeing were recently dismissed following a $1 billion agreement for fines and safety improvements, families like Stumo’s have continued to seek accountability through civil courts. Stumo’s father has been a prominent advocate for stricter aviation oversight and corporate responsibility since the tragedy.